IC Inbox

[stand_unshaken]

 

Comments

[stand_unshaken]

[He reaches back with one big, warm hand to pat her knee, still laughing.]

I can't believe you don't get around this way. You okay? No heart attacks, miss?

[dog_eat_dog]

No heart attacks. [ Thankfully. She eases off just a bit, plucking up her dignity. Do not cling to your warden like a wood tick.] Fastest thing I’ve been on in years.

[stand_unshaken]

You seem like the kinda lady who'd enjoy fast, wild things.

If you didn't have a heart attack, that mean you're up for some more?

[dog_eat_dog]

[She chuckles. She’s been read like a book, but she doesn’t want to admit to she could learn to love it.]

Not a lot of ways to scratch that particular itch in a place like this. But sure, I’m up for it.

[stand_unshaken]

Alright, well, hold on then. See how far this place goes, huh?

[dog_eat_dog]

Giddy up, and all.

[She braces herself for it and settles in hanging onto him again.]

[stand_unshaken]

[He takes them riding just as fast as before, but a little longer. Goes up a hill, jumps when it's safe but still a little exciting. Finally, when he's got it out of his system, he pulls the horse to a halt and leans over it, patting its neck, giving it a few oats he mysteriously still has in his hip bag.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[Tess does note how funny it is to just... carry around oats... but she also assumes it's just enclosure shenanigans. She mostly still thinks it's weird to be on a horse.]

So when you conjure up a horse in this place, is it just a random horse, or is this a specific horse with a name and all?

[Maybe men are the same way with their horses as they are with their dogs, and all.]

[stand_unshaken]

It don't do specific people, and it don't do specific horses. [Yes, men are the same way with their horses as they are with their dogs. They also miss them. Sadface.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[How anyone could tell the difference between an Enclosure horse and a real one is wholly a mystery to Tess, but people have so many feelings about their animals.]

You call up the same fake horse every time, then?

[stand_unshaken]

[He turns around to give her a chagrined little look.

Yes. He isn't going to admit to it out loud.]

[dog_eat_dog]

[She chuckles, giving him a deliberate little squeeze.]

You’re such a sap. What did you name it?

[stand_unshaken]

...Lemon. [Another chagrined look at her. Very caught out, here. He gives the horse more oats to compensate.]

[dog_eat_dog]

Cute. Don’t worry, I’ll take that to my grave.

[ The bond between man and fake horse runs deep. She’ll rib him for it, but it’s admittedly nice to see that kind of sentiment out of a man. Out of anyone still hardened, actually. ]

You gonna be sad to leave her behind when you get out of here?

[stand_unshaken]

[He nudges her to get off, so he can stretch his legs as well.]

Don't think so. It's good to have a good bond with your horse, helps in tight spots. But horses do come and go.

[dog_eat_dog]

[She's more than happy to hop down, feeling bandy-legged and rattled by the whole thing, but it wasn't awful. Kind of fun under the thought that she could fall and crack her head open, actually.]

They probably don't live real long in your line of work. Some guys I know, they go through a dog a year if they're lucky.

[stand_unshaken]

Sometimes it's best to leave 'em behind if they're likely to make you with the law. Sometimes you gotta steal another one. I don't like it, but it's a fact of life.

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah, I know how that goes.

[It is a little different when it's people you're ditching, though. Different again with guns.]

No point getting too sentimental in the end.

[stand_unshaken]

No point whatsoever.

[He lets out a sigh, leaning one forearm on the horse while he looks out over the horizon.]

You surprised at all I was an inmate over there?

[dog_eat_dog]

[She considers that for a second, and then shakes her head.]

I've never actually known you as an outlaw, no matter what you've said you've done. So sure –– kind of unusual to see you as anything but a warden.

[stand_unshaken]

[He shakes his head as well and considers that.]

Ain't that peculiar? You go from one life to another, and suddenly you're no longer who you thought you was.

[dog_eat_dog]

Yeah.

[She's not certain she likes the idea, even if she's done it before and will do it again.]

Would your gang back home recognize you, if they showed up here?

[stand_unshaken]

Hmm.

[He considers the question as he idly strokes the horse's flank.]

Think you might not recognize me. You find a way to be, even if they change all around you and you no longer know quite why you still stay. I think I'd find it too easy by far to become that person again.

[dog_eat_dog]

[She folds her arms, watching him.]

Not to jinx you from seeing your people again, but I hope that doesn't happen. Or, if they do show up... that they follow your orders for once.

[stand_unshaken]

Now that ain't too likely at all. I think Dutch liked gathering people around himself who'd listen to no one but himself.